Youngest player to play in each season of IPL ( 2008-2023)

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a platform for established stars, but some youngsters have also stolen the show with their fearless displays. Today, we revisit the youngest player to feature in each edition of the IPL, from 2008 to 2014.

2008 – Pradeep Sangwan (17 years, 179 days): The inaugural IPL season belonged to 17-year-old Pradeep Sangwan, who took the field for the Delhi Daredevils. This left-arm fast bowler impressed everyone with his pace and raw talent. In his debut match against the Kolkata Knight Riders, he even dismissed Sourav Ganguly, a well-established batsman.

2009 – Kamran Khan (18 years, 39 days): The Rajasthan Royals had a knack for fielding young talent. In 2009, it was 18-year-old Kamran Khan, a batsman, who became the youngest player to feature that season. While details about his specific match performance are unavailable, being part of the high-pressure IPL environment at such a young age was surely a significant moment in his career.

2010 – Mandeep Singh (18 years, 94 days): The Kolkata Knight Riders unearthed a gem in 2010 with the inclusion of 18-year-old Mandeep Singh. The left-handed batsman made his debut against the Mumbai Indians, but could not bat. His next innings was against Kings XI Punjab where he scored only 4 runs. 

2011 – Unmukt Chand (18 years, 15 days): A young talent at the time, Unmukt Chand stepped onto the IPL stage in 2011 for the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals).He likely didn’t set the world on fire in his first match as he was out on 0 run. This, however, marked the beginning of his IPL stint with the Delhi franchise.

2012 – Unmukt Chand (19 years, 52 days): The talented youngster Unmukt Chand, who had been the youngest player in the 2011 IPL, carried on his IPL journey with the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2012. His first match that season came against the Royal Challengers Bangalore where he scored only 18 runs in 10 balls, but it marked another step in his development as a young cricketer in the high-pressure world of the IPL.

2013 – SV Samson (18 years, 154 days): In the 2013 IPL season, Sanju Samson emerged as the youngest player, taking the field for the Rajasthan Royals. His debut match was against Kings XI Punjab, where he impressed with a quickfire knock of around 27 runs not out from just 23 balls. This impactful performance announced his arrival as a rising star in the IPL.

2014 – SV Samson (19 years, 158 days): Sanju Samson continued his reign as the youngest player in the IPL, carrying his talents into the 2014 season for the Rajasthan Royals. While his first match that year saw a disappointing dismissal for just 3 runs off 9 balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, it wasn’t all bad news. Despite his personal struggle, the Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious in the encounter. 

2015 – Sarfaraz Khan (17 years, 182 days): In 2015, Sarfaraz Khan stole the show as the youngest player in the IPL, making his debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. While his first outing against the Chennai Super Kings saw a modest contribution of 11 runs off 7 balls, his talent shone through in later matches. Throughout the 2015 IPL season, he showcased his aggressive batting style, amassing a total of 111 runs.

2016 – Ishan Kishan (17 years, 268 days): The Gujarat Lions surprised everyone in 2016 by including the young wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan at the tender age of 17. He didn’t disappoint, showcasing his talent with a well-made 11 runs on debut against the Kings XI Punjab with a strike rate of 137.50. Ishan Kishan has since established himself as a key player for the Mumbai Indians, known for his aggressive batting style.

2017 – Washington Sundar (17 years, 199 days): In 2017, Washington Sundar, playing for the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), stepped onto the IPL stage for the first time against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. While he didn’t contribute with the bat in his debut, his bowling showed promise. Sundar bowled economically, conceding just 19 runs in his 3 overs, although he wasn’t able to pick up any wickets.

2018 – Mujeeb Ur Rahman (17 years, 11 days): In the 2018 IPL, Mujibur Rahman etched his name in history as the youngest player in the tournament. Debuting for Kings XI Punjab against the Delhi Capitals, he impressed despite not picking up wickets early on. Bowling with maturity beyond his years, Mujibur delivered a commendable 4 overs, conceding only 28 runs and taking two crucial wickets. This promising start hinted at a bright future for the young Afghan spinner in the IPL.

2019 – P Ray Barman (16 years, 157 days): The 2019 IPL season saw a new star emerge – the young gun Prayas Ray Burman!  This 16-year-old whiz kid became the youngest player ever to play in the tournament, suiting up for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.  His debut match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad was a chance to shine on both sides of the pitch. While his bowling wasn’t wicket-taking magic (he gave up 56 runs in his 4 overs), he impressed with his control. But Burman wasn’t a one-trick pony!  He stepped up to the bat and smashed a quickfire 19 runs off just 24 balls, showcasing his all-around talent and getting a taste of the high-pressure world of the IPL.

2020 – YBK Jaiswal (18 years, 269 days): In the 2020 IPL season, Yashasvi Jaiswal entered the record books as the youngest player in the tournament at the time. Making his debut for the Rajasthan Royals against the Chennai Super Kings, his first taste of the IPL wasn’t a run-fest. Jaiswal managed just 6 runs from his 6 balls faced, but for the young player, it marked the beginning of his journey in the prestigious cricket league.

2021 – YBK Jaiswal (19 years, 117 days): In 2021, Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to hold the title of the IPL’s youngest player.  This season, he made his mark for the Rajasthan Royals, and his debut against the Kolkata Knight Riders was a promising start. Jaiswal played a composed innings, scoring a valuable 22 runs off just 17 balls with an impressive strike rate of over 129. This quick knock not only showcased his clean hitting but also contributed to a crucial Rajasthan Royals victory.  Jaiswal’s impressive debut cemented his reputation as a talented young player with a bright future in the IPL.

2022 – D Brevis (18 years, 342 days): In the 2022 IPL season, a young gun named Dewald Brevis, all of 18 years old, took the cricketing world by storm. The South African batting prodigy became the youngest player in the tournament that year, representing the Mumbai Indians. His debut match against the Kolkata Knight Riders was a glimpse of things to come. Brevis didn’t waste any time announcing himself on the big stage, smashing a  29 runs off just 19 balls. This impressive knock hinted at a bright future for the young player, earning him the nickname “Baby AB” for his resemblance in playing style to the legendary South African batsman, AB de Villiers.

2023 – Noor Ahmad (18 years, 103 days): The 2023 IPL witnessed the rise of another teenage wonder – Noor Ahmed! This Afghanistan whiz kid became the tournament’s youngest player, proudly sporting the Gujarat Titans jersey. His debut was a baptism by fire against the very team that drafted him – the Gujarat Titans! Noor showcased his skills with a crafty bowling spell, taking an important wicket while conceding only 29 runs in his miserly 2.2 overs. While his debut might not have yielded a bagful of wickets, Noor’s talent and composure suggest he’s a name to remember in the IPL for years to come!

The IPL continues to be a breeding ground for young cricketing talent. These young guns bring a refreshing energy and fearless approach to the game. It will be exciting to see who emerges as the next big thing in the upcoming seasons!